We reported over the weekend that GoldieBlox toy company, a San Francisco-based start-up that designs toys and games that encourage girls' interest in science and technology, was headed to court with The Beastie Boys over a potential copyright infringement for the use of "Girls" (from The Beastie Boys' debut album License to Ill) in the toy company's commercials.
On Thursday, the company filed a lawsuit saying that their parody, which has gone viral with more than 8 million views, should fall under "fair use." The suit stated that the company "created its parody video specifically to comment on the Beastie Boys song, and to firther the company's goal to break down gender stereotypes."
The Beastie Boys have now shared an open letter to GoldieBlox explaining where they stand on the parody, according to The New York Times. The letter clarifies that it is GoldieBlox suing The Beastie Boys, not the other way around.
Read the letter, attributed to the surviving Beastie Boys Mike D and Ad-Rock, here:
"Like many of the millions of people who have seen your toy commercial "GoldieBlox, Rube Goldberg & the Beastie Boys," we were very impressed by the creativity and the message behind your ad.
We strongly support empowering young girls, breaking down gender stereotypes and igniting a passion for technology and engineering.
As creative as it is, make no mistake, your video is an advertisement that is designed to sell a product, and long ago, we made a conscious decision not to permit our music and/or name to be used in product ads.
When we tried to simply ask how and why our song "Girls" had been used in your ad without our permission, YOU sued US."
No comment from GoldieBlox has been released as of Monday afternoon. What do you think of the situation? Leave us your comments below!
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